The winter season officially began astronomically in the Northern Hemisphere in the last third of December, specifically on December 22, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The seasonal transition has already brought noticeably cooler temperatures across the UAE, marking a shift in prevailing weather patterns that will shape conditions nationwide over the coming months. The lowest temperature recorded across the country was 4°C in Jais Mountain, Ras Al Khaimah, at 00:00 UAE local time, underscoring the arrival of colder air masses, particularly in mountainous regions, a WAM report said.

According to the NCM, the Siberian high-pressure system is considered the dominant surface-level weather system during winter. This system frequently extends toward the Arabian Gulf region and is typically accompanied by northwesterly winds, which can be active at times, or northeasterly winds.

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These conditions result in the influx of cold air masses, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures across the country, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours. In some inland and mountainous areas, temperatures can fall below 0°C, highlighting the intensity of winter cooling in elevated terrain.

In addition to high-pressure influences, the UAE is affected during winter by several low-pressure systems originating from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as by the extension of low-pressure systems from the east. These weather systems contribute to increased cloud cover and rainfall during the season.

Fog formation is also a common winter feature, particularly under stable atmospheric conditions combined with high humidity and light winds. Fog is most likely to occur during early morning hours, potentially reducing visibility in coastal and inland areas.

Diverse geography drives varied winter conditions

The UAE’s diverse topography plays a critical role in shaping its winter climate. Spanning the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea to the east, and the Empty Quarter desert, the country experiences varied local conditions throughout the season.

In desert and inland areas, winter weather is typically cool to cold at night and in the early morning, while daytime temperatures remain mild. Mountainous and highland regions experience cooler conditions most of the time, with colder temperatures overnight due to higher elevations. For example, Jebel Jais reaches approximately 1,800 metres above sea level, making it one of the coldest locations in the country.

Coastal areas generally enjoy moderate winter conditions, with most days remaining mild. Wave heights in these regions typically range between one and two feet, creating suitable conditions for marine activities and water sports throughout much of the season.

Occasional rainfall during winter enhances outdoor conditions, although heavy rainfall in limited areas can lead to runoff in mountainous valleys. Authorities continue to advise caution and recommend avoiding wadis during such weather events.

Winds during winter are usually light to moderate, providing favorable conditions for outdoor activities and camping, with stronger winds limited to a few days throughout the season. Relative humidity levels are generally comfortable, although elevated humidity combined with calm conditions can increase the likelihood of fog formation during early morning hours.

The NCM has noted that the UAE’s winter climate and weather diversity support a wide range of sports and recreational activities, contributing to increased outdoor engagement during the season.

Winter climate averages in the UAE include:

• Average maximum temperature: 24–27°C
• Average minimum temperature: 14–16°C
• Average relative humidity: 55–64 per cent
• Average wind speed: 11–13 km/hr

NCM issues detailed forecast as winter conditions develop

As winter conditions take hold, the National Center of Meteorology has issued its weather bulletin for Monday, December 22, 2025, corresponding to Rajab 02, 1447. The forecast is valid from 8:00 a.m. on Monday until 8:00am on Tuesday.

According to the NCM, the country is currently being affected by an extension of a surface low-pressure system, accompanied by a weak upper-air low-pressure system. These atmospheric conditions are expected to influence weather patterns across the UAE over the coming days.

For Monday, weather conditions are forecast to be fair to partly cloudy in general. Low clouds are expected to appear over islands and some western regions. Humidity levels will increase overnight and into early Tuesday morning, particularly over western coastal and internal areas, raising the possibility of mist formation.

Winds will be light to moderate, becoming stronger at times during the daytime. Sea conditions are expected to be rough initially, gradually becoming moderate to slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Temperature variations will be evident across different regions. Coastal and island areas are expected to see maximum temperatures ranging from 20°C to 24°C, with minimum temperatures between 9°C and 14°C. Internal regions will experience daytime highs of 22°C to 26°C, while nighttime temperatures may drop to between 6°C and 10°C. Mountain areas will remain cooler, with maximum temperatures of 15°C to 18°C and minimum temperatures between 4°C and 9°C. Relative humidity levels may reach up to 90 per cent in some areas, particularly overnight.

Winds across coastal, internal, and mountainous areas will generally blow from southeasterly to northeasterly directions, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/hr and occasional gusts reaching 35–40 km/hr, especially in coastal and island areas.

Outlook through the week

Looking ahead, Tuesday, December 23, is expected to remain fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds forming over islands and western regions. Humid conditions will persist overnight into Wednesday morning, maintaining the possibility of mist formation. Winds will remain light to moderate, and sea conditions are forecast to stay slight to moderate.

On Wednesday, December 24, cloud cover is expected to increase overnight and into Thursday morning, with a chance of light rainfall over islands and some coastal areas. Increased humidity may lead to fog or mist in internal regions. Winds will shift from northeasterly to northwesterly and may strengthen at times.

Thursday, December 25, is forecast to bring partly cloudy to cloudy conditions at times, with light rainfall possible over northern and eastern areas. Humidity overnight could again result in fog or mist, while winds will shift from southeasterly to northwesterly and occasionally freshen. Sea conditions may become rough at times in the Arabian Gulf.

By Friday, December 26, conditions are expected to remain partly cloudy to cloudy at intervals. Humidity will increase overnight into Saturday morning, with a chance of fog or mist forming in internal areas. Winds will continue to be light to moderate, and sea conditions are expected to range from moderate to slight.

Residents are advised to stay alert to changing weather conditions, particularly reduced visibility during fog or mist and rough sea conditions during periods of stronger winds.

The FIA Formula One World Championship is preparing for the most sweeping regulatory overhaul in decades, as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), under the leadership of President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in his second term, drives a fundamental reset of the sport ahead of the 2026 season.

Following one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, attention has already shifted to 2026, when a comprehensive new regulatory framework will reshape Formula 1 across car design, power units, sustainability and safety.

The FIA’s 2026 regulations represent a ground-up rethink of Formula 1 machinery, aimed at delivering closer racing, improved safety and a significantly more sustainable future for the championship.

“This marks a defining moment for the Formula One World Championship,” said FIA President Ben Sulayem. “The new regulations are the result of a huge amount of effort and dedication towards strengthening the Championship for the next decade and beyond.”

Central to the changes is the introduction of the “Nimble Car Concept”, a new design philosophy intended to reverse the trend towards larger and heavier cars. Under the new rules, F1 cars will be smaller, lighter and more agile. Minimum weight will be reduced by 30kg to a target of 724kg, including tyres, while wheelbase will shrink by 200mm to 3,400mm. Overall car width will be reduced by 100mm, with floor width cut by 150mm.

Aerodynamics will also undergo a major transformation. From 2026, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) will be removed after more than a decade of use and replaced by fully active front and rear wings. These moveable aero surfaces will allow drivers to switch between two distinct modes, with the system primarily designed to improve energy efficiency rather than serve purely as an overtaking aid.

Overtaking itself will be redefined through a new “Overtake Mode”. When a driver is within one second of a car ahead at designated activation points, they will be able to deploy an additional 0.5MJ of electrical energy to assist passing manoeuvres, shifting the focus from drag reduction to controlled energy deployment.

The power units will also be fundamentally re-engineered. While retaining the 1.6-litre hybrid architecture, the 2026 engines will feature a 300 per cent increase in battery power, with an even split between internal combustion and electric output, reinforcing Formula 1’s status as the world’s most efficient racing platform.

The new regulations have also attracted significant manufacturer interest. Alongside Mercedes and Ferrari, Audi will join Formula 1 for the first time. Honda will return as a full works partner with Aston Martin, while Ford will support Red Bull Powertrains, supplying engines for Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.

The grid will also expand with the arrival of Cadillac as a new constructor. General Motors’ premium brand will make its debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, becoming Formula 1’s first wholly new entrant since Haas in 2016.

Sustainability is a core pillar of the 2026 reset. All Formula 1 cars will run on advanced sustainable fuels, aligning the championship with broader global decarbonisation goals and reinforcing the FIA’s long-term environmental strategy.

Safety remains a key focus. The 2026 cars will feature revised front impact structures, enhanced side intrusion protection and increased roll hoop strength, with load requirements rising from 16G to 20G, delivering the highest safety standards in the sport’s history.

Together, the 2026 regulations mark a decisive shift for Formula 1—combining technological innovation, sustainability leadership and enhanced competition as the sport enters a new era.

Ecolab and the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating water innovation and advancing sustainability objectives across the Kingdom.

The agreement was formalised at the US–Saudi Water Summit 2025 in Palo Alto, California, which brought together global water leaders to explore partnerships supporting the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s water sector.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration to strengthen sustainable water management as a strategic enabler of Saudi Vision 2030. By optimising water use, the partnership seeks to safeguard resources, improve water quality, reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions and lower operational costs. SWA and Ecolab will leverage global expertise to develop advanced water circularity solutions, with a focus on:

• Exchanging insights on water management across sectors including data centres, refineries, petrochemicals, heavy industry, desalination, manufacturing, food and beverage, and hospitality
• Supporting water source selection, regulatory development and performance monitoring, alongside workshops on advanced digital solutions such as smart water systems and predictive maintenance
• Exploring pilot projects in Saudi industrial cities using Ecolab technologies adapted to local operating conditions
• Identifying opportunities to drive innovation through initiatives such as Rabigh Oasis, the Global Water Innovation Prize (GWIP), collaborative R&D roundtables and innovation promotion programmes

Ecolab has operated in Saudi Arabia for more than 45 years through its Nalco Water business, supporting major industrial partners in managing and optimising water use. Today, its solutions are deployed across energy, manufacturing, food and hospitality sectors, helping organisations conserve water, reduce energy consumption and strengthen long-term business resilience.

Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, president of the Saudi Water Authority, said the partnership represents a step toward building a world-class water sector that protects resources, supports national growth and secures water for future generations in line with Vision 2030.

Stefan Umiastowski, senior vice president & CEO for India, Middle East and Africa at Ecolab, said: “This collaboration represents an important step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 commitment to long-term water sustainability in a region where water is one of the most critical resources. As digitalization and AI reshape economies and create new demand patterns, intelligent water management has become essential for sustainable growth. By combining Ecolab’s global innovation capabilities with the SWA’s vision and local expertise, we’re creating a powerful platform to scale water transformation across the Kingdom’s most strategic industries.”

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded a new Dhs289m contract to enhance Dubai’s water transmission network linked to the Hassyan water plant, one of the world’s largest seawater reverse-osmosis facilities. The project is being developed under the independent water producer (IWP) model.

The scope of work includes the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 32 kilometres of glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) main water transmission pipelines, each with a diameter of 1,200 millimetres.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said the Hassyan water plant represents a critical pillar of Dubai’s long-term water security system, supporting the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and the Dubai Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy 2030. He noted that the new transmission infrastructure will enhance network resilience and expand capacity to meet rising demand, while reinforcing sustainability and supply reliability.

The project is scheduled for completion within 18 months and will further strengthen Dubai’s advanced water infrastructure as the emirate continues to scale capacity to support population growth and economic development.

Gold prices surged to a record high on Monday, riding on growing expectations of further US interest rate cuts and strong safe-haven demand, with silver also joining the rally to hit an all-time peak.

Spot gold rose 1.2 per cent to a record $4,391.92 an ounce, while spot silver climbed 2.7 per cent by 0344 GMT to hit a historic high of $69.23.

Bullion has gained 67 per cent so far this year, shattering multiple records and breaching the $3,000 and $4,000 per-ounce milestones for the first time. It is poised for its biggest annual gain since 1979.

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Silver has surged 138 per cent year-to-date, vastly outperforming gold, underpinned by robust investment inflows and persistent supply constraints.

“With December usually producing positive returns for gold and silver, seasonality is on their side,” said StoneX senior analyst Matt Simpson.

“Given that gold has already risen 4 per cent this month and we’re nearing the end of the year, bulls may want to tread with caution as volumes are to deplete and odds of profit-taking are also likely on the rise.”

Traditionally viewed as a safe-haven asset, gold has been supported by heightened geopolitical and trade tensions, steady central bank buying and expectations of lower interest rates next year.

A softer dollar has provided an additional tailwind by making the metal cheaper for overseas buyers.

Markets are currently pricing in two US rate cuts for next year despite the Federal Reserve signalling caution. Non-yielding assets such as gold tend to benefit in lower interest rate environments.

Simpson said two Fed rate cuts were pencilled in for 2026, with a faster US jobs slowdown and a shift to a more dovish Fed likely to add further upside to gold.